How to Print Freeware Checks
Freeware check printing combines flexibility, costs savings and convenience for individuals and businesses. The ability to print your own checks removes the worry that you will run out of checks, the expense and delay in ordering and waiting for a new book of checks. Freeware conveys these benefits to you instantly with a few mouse clicks and without any payment. The right supplies and some skill are needed, however, to ensure that your bank can read your home or office-printed checks.
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Things You'll Need
- Check printing software
- Blank check stock paper
- Laser print toner
- Canceled or unused check
Instructions
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Find a website that offers free, downloadable check-printing software. See the Resources for examples of sites offering freeware check printing. Download and install check printing software labeled or identified as "freeware."
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2
Go to the template or feature for entering information for the check. Type in the name of each individual account holder for personal checks and the name of the business for business checks. Enter your street address, phone number, the name of your bank, the city and state where you maintain the bank account and the current check number or starting number if you print a series of blank checks.
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3
Copy the first nine digits on the bottom left side of a paper check into the "routing number" field. Look for a four-digit number on the bottom that matches the check number found on the top-right of the check. Insert the remaining numbers, which are neither the check number nor the routing number, into the "account number" field. Read the numbers you typed, and verify that they match the numbers on the paper check.
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Enter the seller, biller or other person whom you are paying in the "Pay to the Order to" space, the date of the check and the amount in numerical form. Type the purpose of the payment in the "Memo" field. Leave the fields mentioned in this step blank if you wish to print a series of blank checks for later use.
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Insert check stock paper into the printer. Use letter size (8.5 inches by 11 inches) paper or 8.5 inches by 3.5 inches for printing the top of the check. Click on "File," then "Print." Check the settings. Select "OK" to print.
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Tips & Warnings
Check Printing Software.com states that you do not need check stock paper, but touts as advantages of stock paper perforations to avoid manual cutting, chemical and erasure marks to detect check tampering, the absence of "original check" on the back and an invisible watermark against light. Use check stock paper to reduce the risk of fraud.
Reduce paper and ink toner or cartridge costs by electronically paying as many bills as possible. You will need the routing number and account number to electronically pay directly through the biller. Alternatively, register through your bank's website for online bill pay.
Print checks with laser toner or ink rather than standard (non-magnetic) toner. The latter will not be read by bank sorter-readers. The bank will reject your check, and you may incur additional processing charges by your bank.
Before printing, verify that your check is properly aligned so the bank's equipment can read the routing and account numbers. Test-print a check to be sure that the routing and bank numbers appear in the proper boxes.
Many "free" downloadable check printing programs offer only a free trial period or will have fewer features than the version that you can purchase.
Get the routing number from a check, not a deposit slip.
Shred any check that you do not use.
